Key result
ACE inhibitors provide pleiotropic benefits beyond blood pressure control, including cardioprotective effects, mortality reduction post-myocardial infarction, and reduced risk of COVID-19 disease.
Why the study?
This review addresses the pleiotropic effects and clinical benefits of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors beyond blood pressure control.
Do ACE inhibitors provide pleiotropic cardiovascular benefits and improve survival in patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors?
Do ACE inhibitors provide pleiotropic cardiovascular benefits and improve survival in patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors?
ACE inhibitors provide significant pleiotropic cardiovascular benefits, including mortality reduction and cardioprotection, which extend beyond their blood pressure-lowering effects.
ACE inhibitors merit continued use in CVD; confirms pleiotropic benefits but leaves COVID-19 association open to prospective validation.
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is responsible for maintaining hemodynamic stability and thereby impacts multiple organ systems, such as the central nervous system, heart, and kidneys. Angiotensin II (ang II) is the main effector of the RAAS. However, overactivity of the RAAS can give rise to cardiovascular disorders, stroke, and nephrosclerosis. Unfavorable effects on cardiovascular system are attributed to ang II. RAAS activation also results in release and increased activity of several hormonal and inflammatory mediators, trigger formation of a number of secondary messengers and/or activate pathways, which negatively affects blood vessels and tissue. RAAS inhibitors, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers can protect various organs from damage by blocking the protean manifestation of RAAS activity, either in its circulating or its locally tissue-active form. This review explains on the pleiotropic effects and benefits that go beyond mere blood pressure control. ACEIs in terms of mortality reduction, long‑term survival benefits, cardioprotective and vasculo-protective effects as well as improve fibrinolytic balance. Ramipril has been clinically proven to reduce rates of mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke. ACEIs and ARBs were associated with lesser risks of COVID-19 infection.
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Chaudhari et al. (2021) conducted a review in Cardiovascular diseases, post-myocardial infarction, and COVID-19. ACE inhibitors vs. Placebo, ARBs, or other antihypertensives was evaluated. ACE inhibitors provide pleiotropic benefits beyond blood pressure control, including cardioprotective effects, mortality reduction post-myocardial infarction, and reduced risk of COVID-19 disease.
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